5 Facts about the First Woman Truck Driver in India

The profession of truck drivers used to be solely male dominated in the past. But now women are infiltrating every single profession – truck driving is one of them. Basically because of the nature of the job (which asks one to be on the road all the time), women previously weren’t allowed to enter into this profession.

But truck driving has always been an essential part of the bread in butter for people of northern India mainly. So these days women are breaking taboos and entering into this profession with equal enthusiasm – truly showing that, if men can, why can’t they?

1. Miss Yogita Raghuvanshi from Bhopal is the first Indian Woman to become a truck driver

When she married she was told that her husband was a lawyer. She didn’t have any clue her husband was a truck driver. “I was told he was a lawyer practicing in Bhopal High Court. But his family hid the truth from us,” Raghuvanshi said.

2. “His death got me into becoming a truck driver,” she told the reporters

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkXyqomtOwU

She entered into this profession when her husband, who was the original truck owner, died in 2003.

3. She is probably more qualified than most male truck drivers in India.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkXyqomtOwU

Despite having a B.Com and a degree in LLB she was never allowed to work by her in –laws. She took up driving at this age because she feels that this is the only profession that will give her instant payment. She was financially needy when she took up truck driving.

4. She didn’t have much of a support from her family when she entered into this profession

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkXyqomtOwU

“It was a sudden change in plans that brought me to Mumbai,” Raghuvanshi said. She has to be on the road for months and her in-laws did not want her to take up driving. She wanted to support her family, and mainly her daughter who has been studying engineering.

5. Male truck drivers would stare at her in disbelief and loaders even booed her at times

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkXyqomtOwU

This woman did not give up doing her job. She continued calling her colleagues “bhaiya” while she faced a bunch of ridicule from those who were on the job and those who were staring at her in hostility.

She hopes to keep working for another five to six years like this. “My kids will be settled by then. I will elope in my fantasy,” she said.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkXyqomtOwU

Her kids are her main source of motivation for this job. But she still wished that she would get a consignment that would take her back to her hometown in Bhopal.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkXyqomtOwU

She has been presented with a lorry from the Mahindra Company as a good will symbol for her courage. Ever since Yogita took the step, there have been many women who have come into this profession. Jothimani Gowthaman – a 30 year old from South India is another example of such women.

We only hope more women penetrate into this industry and continue to serve this industry. Don’t you?

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